Efficacy of Red Kinesiology Tape on Carpal Tunnel-Like Symptoms and Performance in Esports Gamers

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS · Dec 30, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking into whether a special type of tape, called kinesiology tape, can help esports gamers who have symptoms similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. The researchers want to find out if the tape can reduce symptoms like numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and wrists, and if the color of the tape—specifically red compared to skin tone—affects how well the gamers perform in video games, particularly first-person shooters.

To participate, you need to be over 18 years old, have good color vision, and experience symptoms like numbness or pain in your hands after gaming for at least five hours a week. If you join, you will visit the study site twice to have the tape applied to your wrist and hand, and you’ll complete a few tests to measure pain and performance before and after the tape is applied. This study is currently recruiting participants, and it’s important to know that certain conditions, like being pregnant or having specific skin issues, might make you ineligible to participate.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • over 18 years old
• • can see color vision
• • reports having numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hands, wrist, or fingers
• • has a positive Phalen's test result
• • passes Ishihara Color Vision Test with a score of at least 12
• • provides written consent
• • reports to play video games over 5 hours a week on average
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • cognitively impaired
• • pregnant
• • has history of skin conditions
• • has history of hand conditions other than carpal tunnel syndrome
• • has history of surgery to the wrist, hand, or fingers
• • is currently receiving other forms of physiotherapy
• • has open wounds on the kinesiology tape application site